TITLE:
Electrothermal Bipolar Vessel Sealing System Dissection Reduces Drainage Fluid Output or Time to Drain Removal Following Axillary and Ilio-Inguinal Node Dissection in Melanoma Patients: A Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Di Monta Gianluca, Marone Ugo, Alfonso Amore, Benedetto Lucia, Caracò Corrado
KEYWORDS:
Lymph Node Metastases, Lymphatic Drainage, Seroma Formation, Cutaneous Melanoma
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.9 No.9,
September
5,
2018
ABSTRACT: Background: Radical lymph node dissection (RLND) is the treatment of choice in stage
III melanoma patients. Over half of the observed complications were related to
post-operative serum collection affecting wound healing. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the use of the LigaSureTM Small Jaw (LSJ) on
postoperative drainage fluid volume and drainage permanence in patients
undergoing RLND. Study design: This was a prospective single-center
study in which consecutive melanoma patients underwent nodal dissection using
the LSJ. Daily drainage volume and duration of drainage were recorded in
post-operative course on days 3, 10 or 15 and day 20. Results: A total
of 70 patients were included. Mean postoperative drainage volume was lower.
Around two-thirds of patients had a drainage fluid volume of less than 50cc at
10 days. Mean time to drainage removal was 14.5 days. Conclusions: This
is the first report of nodal dissection in patients with cutaneous melanoma
using an electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system. The technique was
feasible, safe, and effective and resulted in reduced drainage fluid volume and
drainage permanence.